Mr.

Know - All by William Somerset Maugham

From the narrator's perspective in Mr Know-All, Mr Kelada is boisterous, nosy and thinks he
knows everything. This is why the other passengers call him "Mr Know-All," apparently
intending to demean him, but he takes it as a compliment. The fact that he is "everywhere and
always" is something of an irritation to the narrator who can't even find his own seat at dinner as
Mr Kelada has arranged him a seat at his table.  

He is happy to share his illegal liquor which, during "Prohibition" was an offence. Interestingly,
the narrator, whilst consistently stating his dislike of Mr Kelada, takes the drink willingly - a
little hypocritically actually- as, for his own reasons, the narrator expects Mr Kelada to treat him
with more respect, using "mister" before his name. Mr Kelada has no airs and graces and it is not
disrespect, it is just his familiarity - which he has with all the passengers.

Mr Kelada is not shy to share his knowledge but this makes him seem arrogant as he is "the chap
who knew" never expecting to be wrong, nor admitting to it until he is faced with a dilemma
when exchanging his expertize with the Ramsays. He is an expert on pearls as he is in "the trade"
and rightly recognizes Mrs Ramsey's expensive string of pearls around her neck. Mr Ramsey
argues that they are fake and the two men wager a bet. Mr Kelada, uncharacteristically, backs
down and admits his mistake on seeing Mrs Ramsey's "wide and terrified eyes." Kelada's
recognition that she may have a secret from her husband, thereby allowing himself to be
ridiculed, is a very honorable gesture and Mrs Ramsey is saved the embarrassment of exposure
in front of all these people.

For all his "hearty, jovial, loquacious (very talkative) and argumentative" behavior, being quite a
nuisance and source of irritation and liking to always be right, Mr Kelada proves his worth when
he does not interfere in the Ramsey's business. He would rather place himself at the centre of this
"fine joke" revealing a side to his character that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.  

  An analysis of Mr. Know All written by William Somerset Maugham

The story takes place in international waters on an ocean going liner sailing from San Francisco, U.S.A to
Yokohama, Japan on the Pacific ocean. As the war had just ended, it was difficult to get
accommodations. Therefore, the narrator had to share a cabin with a total stranger, but he
expected him to be one of his own countrymen. Instead, he was deeply shocked to realize it was
a chatty Levantine of oriental origin, Mr. Max Kelada, who was not British, but a native of one of the
British colonies (he did have a British passport). Although his origin isn't stated precisely, his name
suggests Spanish, Portuguese, Syrian or even Jewish origin. The narrator mentions Mr. Kelada's
"hooked nose", which might imply an anti-Semitic remark against Jews. The narrator was
prepared to dislike Mr. Kelada even before he saw him. When he first entered the cabin, he saw
Mr. Kelada's luggage and toilet things that had already been unpacked. The man's name and the
sight of his things aroused a strong repulsion in him since he was prejudiced against all non-
Britons, feeling superior to them. The irony of the story lies in the fact that the list of Mr.
Kelada's "negative" traits presented in the beginning of the story shows an orderly, neat and tidy
gentleman. When the narrator met Mr. Kelada, his hatred got even stronger. He abhorred the
cultural differences between Kelada and himself. He both detested and despised Mr. Kelada's
gestures. Therefore, the description of Kelada is negative and biased. The narrator's prejudice is
based on several cultural differences between him and Mr. Kelada: a) A total stranger should
address a gentleman with "Mr." and be formal. b) A gentleman shouldn't be pushy .c) A gentleman
should be modest. d) A gentleman should keep quiet during meals. e) A gentleman shouldn't be
too chatty and argumentative. f) A gentleman shouldn't show off and boast about his super
knowledge. g) A gentleman shouldn't be too dogmatic. Mr. Kelada was a person that seemed to know
everything and was involved in everything , not sensing that he was disliked by everybody. He was very chatty and
talked as if he had been superior to everybody else. The passengers mocked him and called him Mr. Know – All
even to his face. There was another dogmatic person on the ship - Mr. Ramsay who was an
American Consular Serviceman stationed in Kobe, Japan. He was on his way to Kobe after
having picked up his pretty little wife, who had stayed on her own in New York for a whole year.
She looked very modest. Her clothes were simple although they achieved an effect of quiet
distinction. She looked perfect and was adorable. One evening, the conversation drifted to the subject of
pearls. As Mrs. Ramsay was wearing a string of pearls, Mr. Kelada announced that it certainly
was a genuine one which had probably cost many thousands of dollars. He was ready to bet a
hundred dollars on it. Mr. Ramsay, on the other hand, that his wife had bought it for 18 dollars in
a department store. When Mr. Know - All took out a magnifying glass from his pocket, he
noticed a desperate appeal in Mrs. Ramsay's eyes. He then realized that Mrs. Ramsay got the
pearls from her lover. Since Mr. Kelada didn't want to destroy Mrs. Ramsay's marriage, he
ruined his reputation instead - he told everybody that he was wrong and that the string was an
excellent imitation. He gave Mr. Ramsay a hundred dollars. The story spread all over the ship and
everybody mocked Mr. Kelada. Later, while the narrator and Mr. Know - All were in their cabin, an
envelope was pushed under the door. It contained a hundred dollar bill from Mrs. Ramsay. It was then
that the narrator learned to value the dark - skinned Levantine. He was amazed at Mr. Kelada's
generosity. This story shows that first impressions are often misleading and that appearances are
sometimes deceptive. Mr. Kelada who is described as a disgusting person who shows off all the time and knows
everything better than others, is in reality a sensitive, brave gentleman who wouldn't hurt others.
On the other hand, Mrs. Ramsay, whose modesty and good qualities no one questions, has been
unfaithful to her husband. The moral of the story is that we must not judge a book by its cover.
Rather than judging a person by his looks, color or origin we should observe his behavior and reactions in
difficult situations. Mr. Know-All.

 Literary analysis
THE STORY:- Mr. Know- All is a story with a moral lesson. The subject is simple. A rich
British merchant of Oriental origin, called Mr. Kelada, meets a group of Westerners on a ship
sailing across the Pacific Ocean. His cabin-mate, a British citizen who is the Nameless narrator
of the story, dislikes Mr. Kelada even before he sees him. However, at the end of the story Mr.
Kelada, the Levantine jeweler, proves to be a real gentleman when he sacrifices his own pride and reputation to
save an American lady’s marriage. As a result, he earns the respect of the narrator.
 THE SETTING:- Time- a short time after World War I. It is mentioned for two reasons. First, it
justifies the accidental meeting in the same cabin of the narrator and Mr. Kelada. The passenger
traffic on the ocean-liners was heavy, so the narrator had to agree to share a cabin with a person he disliked.
Second, it may give us a possible reason for the narrator’s unjustified antagonism towards Mr.
Kelada. Usually, during periods of war, feelings of prejudice and dislike for foreigners grow stronger. Place
it takes place on a ship in INTERNATIONAL WATERS a neutral place. The journey for the USA to
Japan takes 14 days. The ship becomes the symbol of the world with people who are prejudiced and even
racists.

THE CHARACTERS The characters may be divided into different groups:

•The major characters: Mr. Kelada and the narrator
•The minor characters: Mr. And Mrs. Ramsay, and the doctor.
•The prejudiced: the narrator and Mr. Ramsay.
•The non-prejudiced: Mr. Kelada, the doctor and Mrs. Ramsay.
•The Oriental: Mr. Kelada
•The Westerners: Mr. And Mrs. Ramsay and the narrator.
•The characters are described by their appearance and characteristics, except for the narrator.

THE NARRATION- point of view:- The story is told in the first person the narrator sees everything
and is a part of the plot. In the first episode, where he meets with Mr. Kelada, the narrator is
more active, and involved. He observes comments and judges Mr. Kelada as he sees him through
his own eyes. Since he is influenced by his prejudiced society, his judgments are subjective. In
the second episode, involving the necklace examination, the narrator is less involved. He is like a
cameraman who takes photos and writes down what he hears objectively. After the chain
examination is over, the narrator becomes subjective again. In the last episode, the narrator
discovers Mr. Kelada’s true character. As a result, he undergoes a change he realizes that people
should not be judged by their looks but by their actions and character. It is the narrator who
closes the story. Therefore, the saying DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER is relevant
here

Theme:
ð Racial prejudice is a bad thing.
ð Whites are prejudice towards black.
ð To get a happy conjugal in life, Husband and wife should stay together.

Characters:
ð Maugham:       White
ð Max. Keleda:   Mr. Know all  (Black People)
ð Mr. Ramsay:    Husband
ð Mrs. Ramsay:  Wife
      
  Literal Comprehension:
This story tells us that racial prejudice is a bad thing. Maugham shows the prejudice of white
people over blacks in the USA. Ii is also shows the discrimination of whites over blacks.
  After the end of first world we, Maugham was going to Japan from North USA by a ship. On the
journey he had to cheer his cabin with a black man Max keleda, Maugham started to hate his
name and his bad without meeting him. He becomes sad because he had to go for journey with a
black Man Keleda as a frank and talk time person. He went to meet Maugham and offered drink
but je didn't like to talk with him. ON the ship, Keleda used to talk every person and he used to
present himself as if he knew everything. He used to put his idea on very subjects and he used to
insist on everything. One day Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, Maugham and other white people were
talking about pearl. Max Keleda went there as Mr. Know all said that he knew everything about
pearl he said he was in the business of pearl Mr. Ramsay was working in Japan and now he was
talking his wife form New York after a year of his marriage Mr. know all shoed the pearl
necklace of Mrs. Ramsay and said that he could tell the exact price of it. He said that its cost
might be $30000 if it was bought in New York. But Mrs. Ramsay had told her husband that see
had bought the fake pearl with $18. Mr. Ramsay becomes ready to bet with Mr. Know all of
$100 through his wife requested him not to bet Mr. Know All made her to pull the necklace and
checked it with a magnifying lens. It was a real pearl, but when he saw to be unconscious. Then
he realized the reality that she had earned that money from prostitution while she was alone in
New York for a year. If he told the truth, their marriage life would be finished at the time. So, to
save their married life, Mr. Know ALL becomes ready to lose his bet and face the criticism. So
he told that original people laughed at him but he didn't say anything Next Morning, he got an
envelop with a $100 note from Mrs. Ramsay. Mr. Know All told to Maugham that if he had such
a beautiful wife, he wouldn't leave her alone in New York from this , Maugham understand the
contribution of in New York form this, Maugham understand the contribution of Keleda yet,
Maugham was not positive towards Mr. know All.

·    Interpretation:
This story tells us that racial prejudice is a bad thing. The whites in the USA have the prejudice
feelings towards the black. The white couldn't see positively the black ever they devoted their
life for the service of white. Max. Keleda become ready to lose bet and face criticism for the
protection of married life of whites. Yet, Maugham was not positive towards him. This story also
tells us that husband and wife would stay together for their happy married life. If Mr. Ramsay
would be with him there would be no problem of prostitution.

·    Critical Thinking:
 There are many issues in this story which we can't accept are Americans so prejudice towards
Black? IF the whites are so cruel towards him, why Mr. Know all become ready to face the
criticism to lose the bet for the protection of the married life of a white couple? Why Maugham
was so negative even at the end towards Mr. Know All? So, this story presents the negative
image of whites.

·   Assimilation:
 This story reminded me the caste discrimination of Nepal as the Black and white discrimination
in the USA. The so-called upper-caste people prejudice towards the so-called lower caste people.
It also reminded me that for a happy married life, husband and wife should stay together we
ended as the husband and wife are not together for a longer.
 CRITICAL REVIEW OF "MR.KNOW ALL"

Last time when I met my supervisor, Prof. Iffat Ara, to discuss my research work, she gave me a
book entitled “Selected Short Stories” and advised me to read this book and find some similar
stories for my research. I am working on Ruskin Bond, the famous short- story writer. This book
“Selected Short Stories” contains fourteen short-stories written by different writers. The first
story of this book is written by Edgar Allen Poe, who is considered as one of the “early
American practitioners” of this genre of writing. Poe perfected the art of short-story telling.
Edgar Allen Poe shot to fame with the publication of his story “An MS Found in a Bottle” in
1933. He holds his readers’ attention with the skill of his narration and the atmosphere that he
creates. His influence on the modern short-story writers cannot be underestimated. This book
includes Poe’s famous story Purloined letter, Thomas Hardy’s The Three Strangers, Oscar
Wild’s The Selfish Giant, O Henry’s The Dream, H.G. Well’s The Stolen Bacillus. The
collection also contains writings of some of the famous Indian authors like Rabindra Nath
Tagore, Raja Rao, Kamla Markandya, and R.K. Narayan. Ruffling through the book, one of the
stories entitled “Mr. Know All” appealed to me very much. I like the stories written by Somerset
Maugham. I recently read one of his novels Of Human Bondage, which is a Bildungsroman and
psychological study of the protagonist’s mind. But this short-story, “Mr. Know All” is quite
different. 

“Mr. Know All” is a story written by Somerset Maugham immediately after the First World
War. He widely traveled across the globe particularly in the Far East. He worked in British secret
service so most of his work is based on people he met and experiences which he accumulated
during these travels. Due to the very nature of his job in the secret service, he became habitual to
observing the nature and habits of people. 

Mr. Know All is also a story of such experience which revolves around a person named Mr.
Kelda whom he meets during his travel to “Yakohama” by ship. In the story the author dislikes
Mr. Kelda because he is Black and the most disturbing and interfering element on board. Mr.
Kelda is given the title Mr. Know All because of his talkative nature. The narrator does not like
Mr. Kelda but in the end he comes to know the reality and is impressed by his decency and
changes his views about Blacks, in general.

The story teller shows how we often tend to be judgmental towards others yet later when we take
a closer look, we may find that they are truly greater in character than we are. In the first half of
the story the narrator’s racist views are manifested in his dislike for Mr. Kelda and his search for
a name with Smith or Brown as his fellow passenger as he scans the passenger list – an
unabashed show of British superiority, their trade mark suspicion towards people of foreign
origin, their condemnation of Blacks as savage, uncivilized, uncouth and their colonial mindset.
Likewise Mr. Kelda is treated as a social outcast on board. The writer epitomizes the “White”
mindset, as he is predisposed to dislike Mr. Kelda without knowing him well. This story also
deals with prejudice and hasty judgment. However, the progress of the story sees a
transformation in the narrator when he criticizes racial prejudices and snobbish attitude of the
British as his own perception changes with the turn of events. The ship here, where the narrator
meets Mr. Kelda, symbolizes a slice of society where different types of people live for an
extended period of time and get a chance to come close to each other, which compels the writer
to change his opinion in the long run, about Mr. Kelda and acknowledge the virtuosity of a Black
man.